March 16, 2007
Thursday Thoughts
- Stephon Curry is the best 12-year-old basketball player I've ever seen. I understand now why the big schools missed out on him. They didn't think to scout the middle school courts at recess.
- Maryland fell asleep defensively in the first half, maybe not respecting Curry's babyface, but did what they needed to do in the second. Davidson pu up 43 points in the first half and only 27 in the second. That's promising for the Terps.
- I didn't see the game, but BC won pretty much how I thought they would. They kept banging and chipping and eventually pulled ahead. They have a perfect win-your-first-round-game team.
- Don't get too caught up in Carolina's mid-game struggles. That's extremely common for talented 1 seeds and not always a bad sign. That team needs constant reminders to stay focused. Michigan State will be no slouch tomorrow though. They put a pounding on Marquette. I'm not sure the Spartans can score enough to upset the Heels though.
- Remember early this season when I said that this Duke team reminded me of the 1995 team that collapsed? Some thought I was crazy. Well, I might have been off by one. This team was really a lot like 1996, the last Duke team to be upset in the first round by a mid-major with quick guards. In '96, Duke went 8-8 in the ACC, lost in the first round of the ACC tournament and again in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Sound familiar? The one key difference is that expectations were fairly low in '96. In that regard, this team was more like '95 in that they were supposed to be good, but the pieces just didn't fit together properly.
- As for the game itself, Duke would have done better if anyone other than Paulus had stepped up. McRoberts tried (at times), but just has no idea AT ALL how to assert his will on a game. DeMarcus Nelson was damn near invisible and Jon Scheyer simply can't score against a good defender.
- Paulus has a little punk in him. That little "accidental" bump last night that nearly started a fracas was not the first time I've seen him do that this year. When guys play him tight, he tries to get physical with them like that. I actually respect him for being scrappy though. He was the one Blue Devil who seemed determined to not lose. Unfortunately for him and Duke, he was outmatched by Eric Maynor.
- I went 15-1 in my picks yesterday, missing only that Duke game. That's the best first day I've had in memory!
Comments
Duke's 9 straight Sweet 16 appearances was snapped yesterday, ending the season on a four game skid. I hate Duke, but I also feel I'm a reasonable person and Duke's run from Dean's retirement until Roy Williams' return has been nearly unmatched in terms of ACC play. All the people who say Coach K is losing it and Duke is done are crazy, but I do feel NC is surpassing them, as I said in a previous post.
Now that I've complimented Duke, sort of, I am going to spend some time bashing them, which is always fun. (see next post)
Now that I've complimented Duke, sort of, I am going to spend some time bashing them, which is always fun. (see next post)
Dave, when did the NCAA take the backcourt violation out of the rulebooks?
I have no problem with Duke's "physical" defense, but what I hate most about Duke is the constant flopping, complaining to refs, and the charge. Paulus' had two classic flops last night. One after on the perimeter, immediatley after the little scuffle at half court, and then attempted charge when if he had played defense he may have stopped the break. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPBJ_6y_5A
Dave: Did you notice that after that little scuffle, it seemed as though the refs made Maynor guard someone else. I'd never seen that, all though it did seem to defuse tension, and was wondering if I just interpreted that wrong.
Scheyer might have been Duke's leading tackler if he played football. He takes a shot and then wrestles any opposing player near to the floor to get a foul call.
You are absolutely right about Scheyer and Nelson. Any defensive resistance and they disappear.
Stephon Curry was the most impressive player on the court in the MD game, especially in the 1st half. He has such a quick release and smooth stroke, but DJ showed why he's made the all-defensive team.
Tex Tech's defense was atrocious. For a Knight team, they really showed a lack of effort and heart.
I have no problem with Duke's "physical" defense, but what I hate most about Duke is the constant flopping, complaining to refs, and the charge. Paulus' had two classic flops last night. One after on the perimeter, immediatley after the little scuffle at half court, and then attempted charge when if he had played defense he may have stopped the break. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPBJ_6y_5A
Dave: Did you notice that after that little scuffle, it seemed as though the refs made Maynor guard someone else. I'd never seen that, all though it did seem to defuse tension, and was wondering if I just interpreted that wrong.
Scheyer might have been Duke's leading tackler if he played football. He takes a shot and then wrestles any opposing player near to the floor to get a foul call.
You are absolutely right about Scheyer and Nelson. Any defensive resistance and they disappear.
Stephon Curry was the most impressive player on the court in the MD game, especially in the 1st half. He has such a quick release and smooth stroke, but DJ showed why he's made the all-defensive team.
Tex Tech's defense was atrocious. For a Knight team, they really showed a lack of effort and heart.
| Roy wrote: |
| Dave, when did the NCAA take the backcourt violation out of the rulebooks? |
They changed the rule a few years back. You are not considered in the front court until both feet and the ball are across the line. So when Paulus stepped back that time, he was still considered in the backcourt.
| Roy wrote: |
| Dave: Did you notice that after that little scuffle, it seemed as though the refs made Maynor guard someone else. I'd never seen that, all though it did seem to defuse tension, and was wondering if I just interpreted that wrong. |
I noticed that too and wasn't sure either if that was what they were doing. I have seen refs do that before. They don't necessarily say you can't guard that guy, but they'll make you back up off of him before the ball is inbounded.
With the camera so tight, I couldn't tell for sure what else was happening, so I know I didn't have the whole story.
I did notice just before that happened that a big dude on VCU with some big ol' guns walked up and "accidently" bumped Paulus just the same way Paulus had bumped Maynor. Maybe the refs saw that too and just want to separate guys a bit.
I think this Duke team had some personality issues. Look at K's face in the post-game interviews. He looks exhausted.
To me, this season (except for that 8-8 thing) seemed more like '97 than '96. Of course that team won the ACC regular season by one game on the egregious clock error that still gets you steamed, Dave. (Far worse than the Clemson error, since Duke was actually down, and that mistake could've easily been replayed. I know it doesn't help, but I actually felt guilty over that win.)
This one ended with a second-half bench tightening, with McRoberts playing the role of Newton, only not sitting on the bench the whole game. Sure that year the other team had God (Shammgod) on its side, but K, in a fit of pique, didn't play 2 of his seniors at all during that game.
Although it's definitely chicken-little of me, I can't but help seeing Knight parallels. Two championships in first decade, a follow-up later, then pfffft in the tourney.
Speaking of historical parallels, did anyone notice the Virginia Juju on Duke this season. All three games versus Virginia Xxxxxxx ended the same. Fadeaway jumper by speedy Virginia Xxxxxx guard within the last 5 seconds, desperation 3 missed by Paulus. What kind of magic your kin-folk be brewing, Dave?
This one ended with a second-half bench tightening, with McRoberts playing the role of Newton, only not sitting on the bench the whole game. Sure that year the other team had God (Shammgod) on its side, but K, in a fit of pique, didn't play 2 of his seniors at all during that game.
Although it's definitely chicken-little of me, I can't but help seeing Knight parallels. Two championships in first decade, a follow-up later, then pfffft in the tourney.
Speaking of historical parallels, did anyone notice the Virginia Juju on Duke this season. All three games versus Virginia Xxxxxxx ended the same. Fadeaway jumper by speedy Virginia Xxxxxx guard within the last 5 seconds, desperation 3 missed by Paulus. What kind of magic your kin-folk be brewing, Dave?
I'm a little surprised to see this statement to draw a parallel to this year's Dook team: "Remember early this season when I said that this Duke team reminded me of the 1995 team that collapsed"
What exactly did this Dook team collapse from??? This was very much an AVERAGE team ... and I don't mean "by Dook standards".
Last night's game was a relatively easy pick if you did a little homework on VCU, or had gotten the oppurtunity to see them play a game or two. The only advantage Dook had was tournament experience, and most of that was on the bench. Dook's guards are just not capable of hanging with a team like that. They're just NOT that good.
One of the big 'upsets' everyone recalls (I sure as hell do) was the Richmond Spiders over a Top 10, #2 seeded Syracuse team. That was the same deal ... anyone who knew the Spiders team at all knew that SU's guards couldn't hang ... and they didn't!
This one wasn't anywhere near the 'upset' though. The Dookies in no way EARNED a 6-seed. They should have been a 9 or 10 ... and they were beaten by an 11. They weren't even good enough to take advantage of a gift from the committee.
Paulus should have stuck with football! I'll give him credit for a decent shooting game last night, but he is and always will be an average point guard.
Now I gotta' go look at my NIT brackets again. Ppphhhfffttt.
What exactly did this Dook team collapse from??? This was very much an AVERAGE team ... and I don't mean "by Dook standards".
Last night's game was a relatively easy pick if you did a little homework on VCU, or had gotten the oppurtunity to see them play a game or two. The only advantage Dook had was tournament experience, and most of that was on the bench. Dook's guards are just not capable of hanging with a team like that. They're just NOT that good.
One of the big 'upsets' everyone recalls (I sure as hell do) was the Richmond Spiders over a Top 10, #2 seeded Syracuse team. That was the same deal ... anyone who knew the Spiders team at all knew that SU's guards couldn't hang ... and they didn't!
This one wasn't anywhere near the 'upset' though. The Dookies in no way EARNED a 6-seed. They should have been a 9 or 10 ... and they were beaten by an 11. They weren't even good enough to take advantage of a gift from the committee.
Paulus should have stuck with football! I'll give him credit for a decent shooting game last night, but he is and always will be an average point guard.
Now I gotta' go look at my NIT brackets again. Ppphhhfffttt.
Sad that Greg Paulus is the best option this Duke team has for a ball handler. DeMarcus Nelson has been an absolute nightmare. The only place he can bounce a ball is off his foot.
I was a disloyal Duke fan and picked VCU to take this one. I may be a fan but I'm also not blind.
I was a disloyal Duke fan and picked VCU to take this one. I may be a fan but I'm also not blind.
| MarkG wrote: |
| I'm a little surprised to see this statement to draw a parallel to this year's Dook team: "Remember early this season when I said that this Duke team reminded me of the 1995 team that collapsed"
What exactly did this Dook team collapse from??? This was very much an AVERAGE team ... and I don't mean "by Dook standards". |
I was working on a nice reply to this when my browser crashed.
The point I was making was that the teams in '95 and this year were both highly ranked and filled with high school All-Americans. They had expectations, but collapsed when the schedule got tough.
There's no question that anyone who watched those teams wouldn't be surprised to see them lose. Neither team was that grea, but compared to the success of previous years and the rankings of the players, they were expected to be good.
Clearly, both teams had a number of players who were overrated and don't work terribly well together.
I agree that VCU was a terrible opponent for Duke. They were exactly what Duke can't handle. Duke would probably have matched up better against Pitt in the second round.
| Doug wrote: |
| I was also 15-1 on Thursday, but Friday was VERY different. |
Me too. I went just 10-6! Ouch.
Oklahoma didn't get invited to the NIT... and the kids Capel recruited beat Duke...
Could this be a replay of Tom Amaker? Quinn Snyder?
Could it be a twisted psychological ploy? A certain rat-faced individual encourages former players who are coaches to jump too quickly (albeit for significant financial gain) thereby ensuring they'll never be as successful as him?
Anthony Grant is my new hero for not calling the final timeout. Contrast that with Bruce Weber down the stretch against VT. Let 'em play!
Could this be a replay of Tom Amaker? Quinn Snyder?
Could it be a twisted psychological ploy? A certain rat-faced individual encourages former players who are coaches to jump too quickly (albeit for significant financial gain) thereby ensuring they'll never be as successful as him?
Anthony Grant is my new hero for not calling the final timeout. Contrast that with Bruce Weber down the stretch against VT. Let 'em play!
| Ed-Hoo wrote: |
| Anthony Grant is my new hero for not calling the final timeout. Contrast that with Bruce Weber down the stretch against VT. Let 'em play! |
Good call, but it's a different story when you have guards like VCU has. You can trust a guy like Maynor to make his own shot or find an open man. Illinois has no such playmaker.
Kudos to Seth Greenberg for making one of the best coaching decisions of the first round. At least one of the best ones that an outside observer can pick up on. The switch to a full-court press won that game.
That one drive Randle made when he went full court, spin move, dunk finish was OK, but you are right--the Illini didn't have much leadership or organization once the press was on.
As we look back and analyze the implications of the expansion of the ACC, you've got to think that Seth Greenberg is far and away the biggest individual beneficiary. One year he's a little known quantity from an obscure geographical Florida school toiling at a less than premiere Big East school, then "poof" he's an ACC coach!
To his credit, he's capitalized--opportunity and preparation have come together. Standby for heresy--They are a fun team to watch. I really enjoy watching the rangy athletic guys that can push the ball, and who seem to understand and actually like to play defense. Tech does that. I hope they hit a few more free throws in the next round. End heresy.
Plus, Greenberg's got a good sense of humor and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. I usually catch a few minutes of his radio show on Monday nights. When he gets the inevitable question about free throws, he drolly assures the caller, "I guarantee you the guys were trying to make those..."
As we look back and analyze the implications of the expansion of the ACC, you've got to think that Seth Greenberg is far and away the biggest individual beneficiary. One year he's a little known quantity from an obscure geographical Florida school toiling at a less than premiere Big East school, then "poof" he's an ACC coach!
To his credit, he's capitalized--opportunity and preparation have come together. Standby for heresy--They are a fun team to watch. I really enjoy watching the rangy athletic guys that can push the ball, and who seem to understand and actually like to play defense. Tech does that. I hope they hit a few more free throws in the next round. End heresy.
Plus, Greenberg's got a good sense of humor and doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. I usually catch a few minutes of his radio show on Monday nights. When he gets the inevitable question about free throws, he drolly assures the caller, "I guarantee you the guys were trying to make those..."
I wouldn't write off Capel as a coach one season after switching. Oklahoma didn't make the NIT, but that's partly because Capel did the noble thing and let the previous coach's recruits leave if they preferred. Remember that the reason Villanova got to the NCAAs was because of their great freshman point guard, who would have been a freshman at Oklahoma if Capel had forced him to stay (as the rules allow).
The other side of it is that Capel DID recruit the talent that put VCU in the tourney. It's hard to say they should have made it last year with that talent, as Maynor was only a freshman then. Kudos to Anthony Grant for the job he's done with that team, though.
Posted by Dave at March 16, 2007 10:59 AM
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The other side of it is that Capel DID recruit the talent that put VCU in the tourney. It's hard to say they should have made it last year with that talent, as Maynor was only a freshman then. Kudos to Anthony Grant for the job he's done with that team, though.
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